Sightseeing:

Located on the northwest coast of Corsica, L’Ile-Rousse was originally founded in the 18th century to compete with the Genoese-controlled port of Calvi. Snaking islets of red porphyry rock in the bay give it its name. Stroll the main square, shaded by plane trees and enormous 120-year old date palms, and quiet except for the click of petanque balls and the soft exclamations of the players. Or venture inland to the rugged maquis backcountry, refuge of the fictional Corsican Brothers.

Tours Excursions Transportation:

A small two-car train runs along the coast to Calvi, delivering sun-worshippers to beaches not accessible by road. Tickets cost €6.

Nearby Places:

Monticello is a delightful traditional village 5 kilometers from L’Ile Rousse with fantastic views of the coast. There are shops and restaurants in addition to picturesque walks and activities such as horse-riding and tennis.

Shopping and Food:

Wander the streets of L'Ile Rousse old town and take a make sure you take a trip to the market held every morning in a majestic covered market place. The produce is local and fresh and includes fish, vegetables, local honey, charcuterie and cheeses. There are ample restaurants to choose from in the narrow streets and around the main square beneath the plane trees and the silver sand of Ile Rousse beach is very tempting.

Currency:

Communication:

Local emergency nummer: 112

Opening Hours and Holidays:

Most shops, businesses, information services, museums and banks
in France stay open all day. The exceptions are the smaller shops and
enterprises, which may close for lunch sometime between 12.30pm and
2pm. Basic hours of business are from 8 or 9am to 6.30 or 7.30pm Monday
to Saturday for the big shops and Tuesday to Saturday for smaller shops
(some of the smaller shops may open on Monday afternoon). You can always
find boulangeries and food shops that do stay open, however, on days
when others close – on Sunday normally until noon.

National holiday dates:

January 1 New Year's Day
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
Ascension Day (forty days after Easter)
Pentecost or Whitsunday (seventh Sunday after Easter, plus the Monday)
May 1 May Day/Labour Day
May 8 Victory in Europe Day
July 14 Bastille Day
August 15 Assumption of the Virgin Mary
November 1 All Saints' Day
November 11 1918 Armistice Day
December 25 Christmas Day